October 07, 2015

Raped refugee begs to be let into Australia for abortion

located:	Australia
editor:	Vanessa Ellingham

A 23-year-old "vulnerable and traumatised" Somali woman who was raped on Nauru is pleading with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to allow her to come to Australia to have an abortion.

Australia's harsh immigration policy deems that any asylum seeker attempting to reach Australia will instead be resettled in one of a number of other island nations, including Nauru.

Abortions are not legal in Nauru which is why the woman, along with another suffering the same fate, has requested to be brought to Australia to terminate the pregnancy which is a result of the rape.

The woman, "Abyan" (not her real name) is one of two female Somali refugees who have requested help from Australia after being raped on the island. Last week the ABC's 7.30 broadcast distressing footage of the other victim, a 26-year-old woman known as "Namja" (not her real name), calling police for help after her rape - she says it took police four hours to answer her plea.

The 23-year-old woman is 11 or more weeks pregnant as a result of her rape. Lawyers acting on her behalf wrote to Mr Turnbull and Immigration Minister Peter Dutton demanding a response on Tuesday.

"I don't know what's wrong with the system but their failure to respond comes across as cruel and heartless," said special counsel George Newhouse.

"Time is quickly running out, this is not a joke, a traumatised and vulnerable woman's health and safety is stake."

Mr Newhouse called on Mr Turnbull to back his condemnation of violence against women with action.

"The Prime Minister wants Australia to be known as a country that respects women, well, we can start with this poor soul," he said.